Guest blog: Your annual fill

Sister Tigress and Brother-in-Law Tiger went to the last two home games of the season.  The following is their adventure and your yearly dosage of the sister of the biggest Tiger fan in Michigan.

The Tigers are 2 games away from clinching the division.  Last week I thought it would happen while I was at the ballpark for the last home games of the season, but it just didn't work out.  Here is a look through my annual contribution to the Tigress's blog…

I feel I have the ability to be named #1 fan this year, or has my husband would say “hash tag 1 fan.”  I went to 12 regular season games…twelve.  I don’t have kids, I don’t remodel my house, and I don’t own a boat.  I go to Tiger games.

Brother-in-law Tiger and I went to both the first two weekend games of the season verses the Yankees (which they split) as well as the last two weekend games of the season verses the White Sox (which they split).  It was a great way to sandwich the season and we already have our ALDS tickets…just waiting for that clinch!

Over the weekend we decided we would select the 25-man playoff roster – Smokes has had another trying year so we’d like to take some of the pressure off.  Fortunately the Tigers provided us with a full team photo as we entered Saturday’s game.

Catcher – Avila and Pena, hopefully they won’t have to pinch hit Avila for Pena and then pinch run for Avila like they did in Saturday’s CRAZY win against the Sox.  If Smokes feels that is necessary we’ll have a few utility players he can select from to finish out the game, but it won’t be pretty.

1^st Base – Fielder…despite what others think, he’s been clutch this year both on the field, on the base paths and at the plate.  500 games in a row?  Tip your cap, my friends.

2^nd Base – Infante.  What a season he’s had to date!  Yes, he had the injury from the wicked opponent slide, but he’s come back strong especially at the plate.  How many times this year have the Tigers had bases loaded with less than two outs and not scored?  Too many to count, you’re right.  But Saturday night Infante came to the play in the 12^th inning with bases loaded, one out, I didn't close my eyes in fear and he delivered.  Clutch.

3^rd Base – Cabrera.  He’s hurt and he still plays better than two-thirds of the league.  Clinch so Miggy can have a few days for Smokes to give him a blow…hehehe.

SS – Iglesias.  What an amazing acquisition for the Tigers.  Over dinner Brother-in-law Tiger and I argued about his availability.  He hasn’t played since last Thursday and I was listening on the radio when he went down – it didn’t sound good.  Smokes is resting him and hopefully he plays a game before the playoffs start to show us he’s good to go.

Left Field – Dirks and Tuiasosopo.  Dirty Dirks clinched his playoff spot on Saturday evening with a pinch-hit three-run shot on one pitch in the bottom of the ninth.  If you haven’t guessed by now, I was there and it was magical.  Gotta take who’s hot and Dirty is smokin’.  Tuey?  Tell me you saw his catch on Saturday?!  They’ll split time as a lefty/righty combo.

Center Field – Jackson.  He had some time off at the beginning of the year and came back stronger than ever.  I miss Granderson, but of all the centerfielders we could have, the Tigers are lucky to have Jackson around.

Right Field – Hunter.  There are so many things I like about Hunter…his offense, his defense, his good looks…In addition to the fun he has in right field, his energy and excitement in the dugout is addicting.  He is having fun playing the game every day.

Pitchers –

Verlander – and not in the bull pen!  The boy just needs some run support – help him out!

Scherzer – if he isn’t the Cy Young, I’m surprised.

Fister – still solid and we’ll need that bat against the National League

Sanchez – I was at the one-hitter earlier in the season, he gets the final starting spot

Porcello – amazing season and solid finish.  Sorry, Ricky, going to the bullpen for middle-inning relief

Benoit – one blown save and I almost never sweat when he enters the game?

Veras – good addition

Smyly – done some good things out of the bullpen the entire season.  On other teams he’s a starter…

Rondon – need that late inning support

Albuquerque – shaky throughout the season, but again, as we enter the stretch, clutch – gotta take who’s hot

Alverez – earned it…if he can handle making a random start against the Indians, go six innings and get a win, he can handle the playoffs

DH – Martinez.  Good call having him catch a few games down the stretch so he’s ready for the interleague games

Extras –

Kelly – let’s be honest, the love affair between him and Smokes lands him a spot on the playoff team

Santiago – again, Smokes won’t leave him behind

Peralta – yup, he makes it.  He was HOT before leaving on suspension and there must be a spot for him somewhere

Perez got the scratch.  If for some reason Iglesias doesn’t recover, he’s in.

Other random items from our weekend doubleheader for the next time you head to Comerica:

            1)  Best view – Rooftop at Cheli’s Chili.  Brother-in-law Tiger did not want to venture to the roof because of how many stairs were present.  We worked off the beers we drank and had an amazing view

      2)      Elwood’s Bar has the best chicken fingers you’ll find in a five-mile radius of the stadium (note, they are NOT open at 2:45 pm when game day starts at 7:08 pm)

      3)      If you tip at least 15%, the bartenders will make you feel really good about yourself

      4)      There is Octoberfest at the Brushfire Grill.  However, I recommend walking to a Leinenkugal instead of Sam Adam’s stand to obtain the Octoberfest (on a side note, I do prefer it spelled “Oktoberfest” with a “k”)

      5)      If you pay money to go to the game, get there before it starts and stay until it’s over

Looking forward to playoff baseball – GO TIGERS!